Three people have been arrested for alleged fraud and corruption linked to a R16 million security tender at the Blouberg Local Municipality in Limpopo.
The suspects, aged between 37 and 57, were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in Polokwane, assisted by members of the Polokwane Tactical Response Team, on Wednesday.
The security company linked to the investigation has also been charged.
Hawks Limpopo spokesperson Captain Wendy Nkabi said the investigation started in 2024 after complaints were lodged with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation over alleged irregularities in the awarding of the tender.
Nkabi said the company that was ultimately awarded the tender allegedly failed to meet some of the mandatory requirements contained in the tender specifications.
The investigation allegedly found that the company submitted firearm details and certified documents that were not genuine.
One of the tender requirements was that bidders had to possess a specified number of firearms.
Complainants who had also bid for the tender raised concerns that the successful company allegedly did not meet this requirement.
“During the subsequent investigation, the Hawks allegedly established that firearm serial numbers submitted as part of the tender documentation were linked to firearms belonging to other security companies,” Nkabi said.
Investigators also allegedly found that some certificates included in the company’s profile were fraudulent and that some certification stamps on documents submitted as part of the tender were also allegedly fraudulent.
The docket was subsequently submitted to the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crime Unit for a decision.
Warrants of arrest were later authorised, resulting in the arrests of the three suspects on Wednesday.
The suspects face allegations of fraud and corruption and are expected to appear before the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Nkabi said Hawks Limpopo provincial head Major General Advocate Gops Govender commended the investigating team for their work and continued efforts to probe allegations of corruption involving public procurement
